What is the MSLR?
The MSLR plugin is an MS audio processor. It can works in three modes:

  • Encoder (converts the LR input signal to the MS output signal)
  • Decoder (converts the MS input signal to the LR output signal)
  • Inline (allows to affect on the Mid and Side components of the stereo signal without the need to convert the input LR signal to the MS signal)

How is the MSLR used?
The MSLR audio processor contains of the MS encoder and decoder, and three audio mixers. These components will be interconnect differently when you change the mode with the big white knob.

Encoder Mode (LR-MS)
Use this mode to convert the input LR signal to the output MS signal.

Decoder Mode (MS-LR)
Use this mode to convert the input MS signal to the output LR signal.

Inline Mode (LR-MS-LR)
Use this mode to affect on the Mid and Side components of the stereo signal without the need to convert the input LR signal to the MS signal.

The Mixers
Throughout the whole path of the audio signal you able to change the gain of the signal in range -24 dB to +12 dB on each audio mixer. Also you can mute or change polarity of the selected channel.

What happens if you mute/change polarity of each audio component on the "middle mixer" (MS signal) if the inline mode enabled?

Input Signal State of the Middle Mixer Output Signal
Stereo Mute Mid (Left) L = Side, R = -Side
Stereo Mute Side (Right) L = R = Mid; (Pure Mono)
Stereo Polarity on Mid (Left) L = -Input R, R = -Input L
Stereo Polarity on Side (Right) L = Input R, R = Input L; (Swap the input channels)
Stereo Polarity on Mid and Side together L = -Input L, R = -Input R; (Change polarity of the input signal)

Also you able to swap the channels on each mixer to correct possible stereo reversal on the input signal. Remember! When you push the "Swap Button" only outputs of the mixer will be swap, not inputs. So the left slider (for example) will continue to change the gain for the L signal in the Right channel.

Some words about what is MS.
MS mode is an alternative way of handling the stereo signal. Briefly the M (Mid) and S (Side) signals are derived from the Left and Right signals mathematically:

  • M = (L+R)/2
  • S = (L-R)/2

Also we apply this idea to the M and S signals to recover the original Left and Right signals:

  • L = M+S
  • R = L-S

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